Optoma GT750 3D Game Projector Review

October 5, 2011 - Art Feierman

In this section we consider the brightness, sharpness, and image noise of the Optoma GT750home and gaming projector. Also considered are the physical attributes of light leakage and audible noise of the GT750 gaming projector.

Optoma GT750 Brightness

The Optoma GameTime750 has been making the rounds. Pete (gaming projector blogger) started with it. Pete’s comments related to gaming with the GT750 is found on the first and summary pages. I spent several days with the GT750, then passed it to ScottS for more gaming related commentary. I just didn’t get to measuring it yet.

Measurements will be done upon its return, however we can make plenty of assumptions based on using it, and its relation to the GT720:

Brightness. The older GT720 was rated 2500 lumens and produced about 2100 lumens at maximum, the way we measure. This GT750 is rated 3000 lumens so we would expect close to 2500 lumens. Now that’s bright. I don’t think I’ve seen a brighter 3D home projector, although the new Epson 3010, which will be one of the two reviews to follow this one, is also particularly bright for a home projector, as is the also new Panasonic PT-AE7000. The thing is, the GT750 is under $800, while the Epson is $1599 and the Panasonic is $2999 in terms of street prices.

Lumen Output, Low Lamp

GT750 Projector measures:

Don’t know yet, but, the GT720 had a drop of less than 9% compared to full power. Most projectors drop 20-30%. That should keep the GT750 as possibly the brightest of these new 3D capable projectors, even when in Eco-mode.

Optoma GT750 Sharpness

Like the older model, the Optoma GT750 is a 720p resolution home projector, isn’t going to resolve as much data as any 1080p projector. That said, it’s a gaming projector first – thus the GameTime moniker.

As such, when watching Blu-ray movies (2D or 3D) or any other 1080p or 1080i content, the image is going to appear a bit softer than more expensive, higher priced projectors.

Top left: Optoma GT750, Top Center – GT720, Top right – Mitsubishi HC4000.

Optoma GT750

Optoma GT750: Bottom Line Sharpness

Like it’s older sibling, the 720, the GameTime 750 looks fine for a low cost 720p projector. The image bows a little bit (not rectangular), a result of the short throw optics (though it can be done better). You can spot that slightly upward curve of the image along the top of the screen, rising toward the center, dropping towards the corners. The bowing is minor, typical of very short throw projectors, and not something most of us buying this as a low cost family projector will give the least notice to.

Overall sharpness is good (as one expects from single chip DLP projectors), but the image will look soft compared to any 1080p projector, at least when viewing 1080p content. Again, this is the weakness of working with, and outputting, a lower resolution signal (1080 reduced to 720), rather than optical shortcomings.

That said, this isn’t world class optics either. There is a bit more softness at the sides and corners, when focused to the center, than one would expect from a more expensive projector. That’s not something you’ll accidently notice though, so don’t lose any sleep over that. The GT750 also sports the same minor image blooming which you can spot when focusing. Try and get that focus so that the small text – or for that matter, the bright pixels, aren’t blooming – lighting up the adjacent darker ones.

Light Leakage

No significant light leakage. That said, the grill in the front lights up a bit, but that light gets diffused, and is not a problem, certainly not in a typical environment for a gaming projector. There is also a small amount of leakage through the lens. That too, is not an issue.

Image Noise

Not the cleanest overall. As with the older GT720, the Optoma GT750 does very nicely for an entry level priced projector, I’d have to say, overall, no real problem. Even standard background mosquito type noise, which is more prevalent on DLP projectors, was typical for the breed, and that’s good, considering price.

Audible Noise

I’m almost surprised, except we’ve seen a number of other Optoma single chip DLP projectors in cases about the GT720’s size. Audible noise, as expected, is greater than almost any LCD projector – but, hey, there aren’t any 3D home LCD projectors near the price of $799, let alone ones that can also do 3D. Comparing the GT750 to other low cost DLP home entertainment projectors, the GT750 seems to be a little quieter than most. Optoma claims 30 db at full power and 28 in eco. Those are good numbers for a low cost DLP. This certainly isn’t a particularly quiet projector, but fine for a typical family room, bed room, garage door, bonus room type setup. Not bad.